Nationalism is nauseating

[raiha]

Speaking for nationalism in general, not necessarily toward the military, I don't think it is bad at all. Although I would like the country to be freer, I do take pride in the fact that I do live In one of the freest countries. Plus I love watching international sports and I love rooting for the USA!!

As Matt pointed out there is an important distinction between ‘nationalism’ and ‘patriotism’. Patriotism is a healthy appreciation of one’s roots, a natural love of the country and the culture that one comes from, springing from a sense of gratitude to them. Nationalism, on the other hand, means an over-identification of oneself with one’s nation and national characteristics. This over-identification tends to produce a range of disturbing mental states, such as conceit, aggression, contempt for (or resentment even xenophobia towards) other nations.

 

[fj45lvr]

Nationalism would be pretty cool if there were 6 billion countries on the globe today

 

[Brooklyn Red Leg]

“Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of wealth or power, but because of who we are. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, may God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.”

- President Barack Obama

I'm going to go yarf my goddamn toenails up now.

 

[Anti Federalist]

Oh, yeah, getting bombed isn't a legitimate excuse.

I can understand VE and VJ day since everyone in the country was involved in the war. This fighting hasn't really effected us in quite the same way. We didn't have to ration, hundreds of thousands didn't die, daily life didn't stop. Life basically came to a stand still in WWII, it hasn't in this war.

Hundreds of thousands most certainly have died.

 

[showpan]

Bin Ladens death, or at least the announcement, only serves to make him a martyr. There were less than 1000 Al Qaeda when the "war on terror" started...now there are over 10,000. This "war" has cost us trillions of dollars, thousands of troops, 1.5 million civilian casualties, the destruction of our economy and the constitution....yet there has never been a direct link between Bin Laden and 911. People chanting in the streets as the rest of the world laughs at us for being so naive. Bin Laden has already won and yet the sheeple think we have. It must be perpetual opposite day.

 

[Verrater]

The US government had no legitimate excuse to being involved in either of the World Wars.

At least, we declared wars back then.

 

[Matt Collins]

At least, we declared wars back then.

Yeah.


Look up the Just War Theory that RP subscribes to.

 

[oldsmobile98]

So, to borrow from the playbook of our statist opponents, how can nationalism be used as a tool against global governance/transnational socialism?

 

[sailingaway]

Matt Collins: Nationalism: noun - the worship of one's government, usually accompanied by an aggressive impulse toward other countries.

Merriam Webster: Nationalism: : loyalty and devotion to a nation; especially : a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups

 

[heavenlyboy34]

Matt Collins: Nationalism: noun - the worship of one's government, usually accompanied by an aggressive impulse toward other countries.

Merriam Webster: Nationalism: : loyalty and devotion to a nation; especially : a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups

Yes, but Collins' definition is more accurate in practice. Check out the nationalist art/music/etc that began in the 19th century and continues to this day. (i.e. "Ma Blast", by Bedrich Smetana)

 

[Matt Collins]

Matt Collins: Nationalism: noun - the worship of one's government, usually accompanied by an aggressive impulse toward other countries.

Merriam Webster: Nationalism: : loyalty and devotion to a nation; especially : a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups

Connotative vs denotative. Not only that but the US isn't a nation, it's a federation of 50 independent republics.

 

[JohnGalt1225]

 

[Matt Collins]

 

[moostraks]

It is indeed nauseating. Just as people screeched at the "Death to America" protests where they burned US flags, so too are people doing in another part of the world as they watch our fellow countrymen act in the most sickeningly jingoistic fashion.

So well put. It is surreal because of how the msm has spun this same reaction as being disgusting when other countries do it and yet this is a day of celebration and joy???

 

[robert68]

... the US isn't a nation, it's a federation of 50 independent republics.

And I'm Thomas Jefferson.

 

[FightforFreedom]

Looks like Mike Huckabee.

 

[Grubb556]

Don't most Americans mostly associate with their state rather then "America" as a whole ?

 

[nobody's_hero]

What scares me now is the move for non-partisanship. It will be just as it was after 9/11 whenever people think it is a good idea to cast off politics altogether in favor of 'following the leader.'

 

[scottditzen]

Don't most Americans mostly associate with their state rather then "America" as a whole ?

Actually I think with most people I know, their connection with "home state" is far less than with that of the country as a whole. As I've lived in several states, I don't consider myself that closely connected with a single one.

Maybe people who've spent most of their lives in one state think differently on this?

 

[nobody's_hero]

Actually I think with most people I know, their connection with "home state" is far less than with that of the country as a whole. As I've lived in several states, I don't consider myself that closely connected with a single one.

Maybe people who've spent most of their lives in one state think differently on this?

Maybe. I can't speak for everyone, but I think of it like most family relationships.

The states are like parents, they won't give their kids sweets because they know they'll be hyper and get cavities.

The federal government is like the grandparents; the kids know they can always get goodies from the grandparents, so, they'll bypass the states to get things like chocolate chip cookies, even though it's bad for them.

Not a great metaphor, maybe . . .